Critical Analysis: Rwanda-Congo Peace Deal Signed in Washington Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions

In a carefully choreographed ceremony at the U.S. State Department, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a ministerial-level peace agreement intended to quell escalating violence in the mineral-rich eastern Congo region. The deal, promoted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s office, is slated for formal ratification by both presidents in the coming weeks but is already effective as of signing. At first glance, this agreement appears to be a diplomatic victory heralding peace and cooperation between two long-troubled neighbors. However, beneath the optimistic rhetoric lies a complex web of unresolved conflicts, geopolitical maneuvering, and questions about true...